Sliding closure and operating means



July 28, 1964 T. M. ARNOLD SLIDING CLOSURE AND OPERATING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 3, B62

July 28, 1964 ARNOLD 3,142,410

SLIDIIQG CLOSURE AND OPERATING MEANS Filed 001:. 3, 1962 2 SheetsSheet 2 FIG. 2

United States Patent 3,142,410 SLIDING CLOSURE AND OPERATING MEANS Theodare M. Arnold, Punta Gorda, Fla., assignor to Ethyl Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia Filed Oct. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 228,104 2 Claims. (Cl. 220-41) This invention relates to new and improved apparatus for intermittent closure of reaction vessels. More particularly, the invention is a new and improved apparatus for providing a closure of a reaction vessel nozzle or opening, which opening is intended for receiving materials, particularly solids, by gravity flow from a transportable container.

In chemical manufacturing operations of the batch type, and particularly, when reacting normally liquid materials and subdivided solids, reaction vessels are employed which necessarily have receiving ports or nozzles, through which charged materials are introduced by gravity flow. An example of such an operation is the reaction of a subdivided lead alloy with an alkylating agent, e.g., as in the manufacture of tetraethyllead from a sodium lead alloy and ethyl chloride. When such solid comminuted materials are reactive, particular precaution must be taken to prevent exposure of these materials to atmospheric oxygen or moisture. Accordingly, sealed transport containers or hoppers are provided, which are fitted with valves and with flanged nozzles, for engaging the nozzles which form a part of a reaction vessel system. Heretofore, such devices were relatively inconvenient to use, and required considerable manual activity to provide good connections during charging operations. When a reaction vessel is being employed for the reaction cycle, in such processes, provision must be made for gas tight closure of the nozzle to prevent any leakage.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device for the above described service, viz., for achieving relatively gas tight coupling of a reactor nozzle or charging opening with a corresponding nozzle or opening of a feed hopper or container. Another object is to provided apparatus which is capable of powered operation, thus greatly relieving the manual effort required for these repetitive operations. Another object is to provide integrated apparatus for not only providing intermittent gas tight coupling with a feed container nozzle, but also gas tight closure of the reaction vessel when it is performing a reaction.

These and other objects are fully attained by the apparatus of the present invention, which is illustrated by the accompanying figures, wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view in part section of a typical embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in part section, and

FIG. 3 is a further sectional elevation view of a portion of the typical apparatus.

The apparatus of the invention includes a first nozzle member, and in combination therewith, the closure apparatus proper. This includes a sleeve assembly and actuating means therefor, and a cover plate structure and actuating means therefor. These several assemblies are both attached to a base portion as hereafter described. The nozzle is associated with the reaction vessel and also provides an operative channel or guide for the sleeve assembly.

The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve member proper and an upper surface portion at the upper terminus thereof. Said surface can conveniently be in the form of a flange adapted to engage a similar flange of a materials container, when in extended position, or the undersurface of the cover plate structure.

7 3,142,410 Patented July 28, 1964 "ice The cover plate assembly includes a cover plate proper and actuating mechanisms for providing limited vertical and horizontal movement therefor. The mechanism provides segregation and sequencing of the vertical and horizontal movement components, in either order according to the change in operative status of the apparatus which is desired.

The cover plate is adapted to engage the flange portion of the sleeve assembly when in a forward position, and to establish thereby a fluid tight closure of the reaction vessel. When the cover plate is retracted, the vertical movement of the slide assembly is permissive to establish a flow type connection with the flange of the materials container as already mentioned.

Gasket means are desirably associated with the several operative assemblies toassure the desired fluid tight connections adverted to above.

The figures show details of a specific embodiment as described below.

Referring to FIG. 1, this is a plan view of the apparatus assembly. Major components of the closure assembly include a base member 5, a sliding cover plate 11, and, when desired, a hydraulic reciprocating motor element 18 for driving an actuating rod 17. Guide pieces 6 6 are provided as a part of the base structure 5 to form grooves or slideways for horizontal movement of the push bars 14 14 The entire assembly is mounted atop a flange nozzle '71 associated with a reaction vessel (see FIG. 2). The cover plate proper 11 has side pieces 12 12 Welded or inherently integral therewith, these being right angle downward extensions at the margins of the cover plate 11. Projecting from the side pieces 12 12 are pins 13 13 Said pins slidably fit in slots 15 in push bars 14 14 which are closely and parallelly aligned to the side pieces 12 12 of the cover plate assembly. The push bars 14 14 are joined by a cross bar 16, which in turn is afiixed to an actuating rod 17. Movement of the actuating rod 17 laterally, results in concurrent movement of the cross bar 16, push bars 14 14 and as described more fully below, the cover plate including the plate proper 11 with the side pieces 12,, 12 afiixed thereto. Slidable pin members 21 21 are afiixed to the side pieces 12 12 respectively, for the cover plate assembly and project through apertures in the cross bar 16. Springs 20 20 associated with the individual aligning pins 21 21 respectively provide for resilient variation between the relative lateral positions of the cover plate assembly and the cross bar 16. Stop pins 22 22 are mounted in the base member 5 in positions to limit lateral movement of the cover plate assembly 11. A fixed pair of slide ways 19 119 provide wearing surfaces which are part of the base assembly, and correspond in position to the side pieces 12 12 for engagement of said pieces when the cover is retracted from the closed position illustrated by FIG. 1, by retraction of the actuating rod 17. A floating slide way 23 is provided on each side of the assembly, for engagement and resilient support of the cover plate assembly when in position for closure, by slidable engagement with the side pieces 12 12 The floating slide plates 23 23 are aligned and supported by means of slidable pins 24 24 aifixed and projecting downwardly from the floating slide plate 23 the resilient support being provided by spring members 25 25 which are restrained by sockets 26 26 forming part of the base member 5.

The operative relationships of the cover plate 11 and associated mechanisms will be clear from FIG. 2, which is an elevation showing the apparatus of the present invention mounted on a nozzle 71 of a reaction vessel, and illustrating the component parts by appropriate section.

The push bars 14 14 as already mentioned each include a slot aperture for engaging the pins 13 13 projecting from the side members 12 12 of the cover plate. As shown by the elevation view of a portion of a push bar 14;, the slot 15 includes an inclined portion, and a flat portion, whereby, when the push bars 14 14 are simultaneously retracted laterally away from the nozzle 71, the first result of this movement is to result in a slight elevation of the cover plate 11. Further retraction of the cross bar 16 by movement of the actuating rod 17 then laterally slides the cover plate 11 and uncovers the opening of the apparatus and the nozzle 71. It will be seen that the extension of the springs 20 20 associated with each of the aligning pins 21 21 restrains lateral movement of the cover plate 11 until the slight vertical elevation adverted to is accomplished by the cam action of the pins 13 13 and the apertures 15 15 of the assembly as described.

As previously indicated an additional major sub-assembly of the present apparatus is the slide assembly. As already noted, the slide assembly not only establishes a seal, with and when the above described cover plate is in forward position, but as an extensible conduit for transmitting material and for providing a gas tight seal with a flange member connection of a material container. The elements and details of said sub-assembly in position are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the slide assembly includes a flange portion 31, the bottom face 32 thereof engaging, when in retracted position as shown, a working face 33 of the base 5, said face having an opening 34 coinciding in position and size with the opening 72 of the apparatus nozzle 71. An O-ring gasket 35 is provided in a recess in the side wall of the base member opening 34. The O-ring engages a tubular slide member proper 36, which snugly and slidably fits in the opening 34 of the base member 5 and through into the bore of the nozzle 71.

Projecting from the opposite sides of the flange 31 are pins or bolts, one on each side. These engage arms 38 38 of a yoke 39. The yoke root projects outwardly in the direction generally opposite from the actuating rod 17 of the cover plate 11 actuating assembly, and is pivoted at a pin 40, mounted by an appropriate bracket means 41 to the base 5. An actuating rod is operatively connected to the yoke 39, and is the piston rod of a cylinder-piston motor 43.

A feature of the flange 31 of the slide assembly is the incorporation therein of a gasket 44, for engaging the cover plate when it is in the closed position and secured by the retaining means already described.

It will be observed that, when the apparatus is closed as illustrated by the figures, that a gas tight seal is provided by the coaction of the O-ring gasket 35 acting on the wall of the slide 36, plus the engagement of the gasket 44 between the flange 31 and the cover plate 11.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the operation of the present apparatus is self-explanatory. In brief, when the reactor vessel is to be in a closed position, the slidable flange assembly is at its lower-most position, with the ring 31 thereof seated on the corresponding working face surface 33 of the base member 5, and the cover plate 11 is engaged under pressure, by the action of the push bars, 14 14 pins 13 13 and apertures 15 15 which press the undersurface of the cover plate 11 against the gasket 44. Thus, a gas tight enclosure is provided.

When the apparatus, on the other hand, is in opened and operative relationship with a feeding nozzle, having a flange discharge face generally coinciding with the dimensions and proportions of the flange 31, the cover plate is then fully retracted, and by operation of the cylinder-piston motor 43, the yoke 39 raises the slidable flange assembly and engages the gasket 44 with the flange of the materials container.

It will be apparent that the gasket 44 shown in the above embodiment associated with the flange 31 of the slidable assembly, and the O-ring gasket 35, for engaging the slide proper 36, are not absolutely essential to the functioning of the apparatus. In certain instances, it may be desirable to provide extremely close machine fits whereby gasketing materials can be dispensed with. Under normal circumstances, however, gaskets as shown are highly desirable.

It will further be evident that instead of providing a gasket 44 associated with and positioned in the periphery of the flange 31, a comparable function will be achieved by a pair of gaskets, one being afiixed to the underside of the slide cover 11, and also a comparable gasket being provided associated with the nozzle, not shown, of the materials container employed when the apparatus is being used to fill a reaction vessel.

A particular feature of the apparatus is the benefit that pressure application between the gasket means 44 of the slide assembly flange 31, and the cover plate 11, is entirely avoided during lateral movement of the latter. Pressure application is made during only the vertical components of movement applied to the cover plate, whereby abrasion or dislodgement of the gasket 44 is prevented.

Manually operated devices can be readily employed to actuate the several sub-assemblies of the apparatus. For example, instead of a hydraulic motor 18 for the slide plate assembly, a conventional rack and gear mechanism actuated by a hand-crank can also be provided. Similarly, manually operated devices can be employed as a substitute for the hydraulic motor 43 employed for raising the slide assembly to operative engagement with a materials hopper or container.

In virtually all instances, however, powering actuation is employed and the control devices for such powering is largely a matter of expedience. A highly desirable feature of powering circuits is provision for appropriate interlock of the controls for implementing the action of the several hydraulic motors 18, 43, whereby operation of the motors is only possible under certain circumstances. For example, the control valves for the powering hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the hydraulic motors 18, 43 is readily valved so that upward actuation by the hydraulic motor 43 is impossible unless pressure has been applied to the hydraulic motor 18 for actuating the cover plate assembly in a retracted position. Similarly, double valving is readily devised to assure that the hydraulic motor 18 can not be pressurized to transmit the cover plate assembly to the forward or closed position until the slide assembly is fully retracted. Instead of appropriate valving in the hydraulic powering fluid lines, electrical lock-out devices can similarly be employed.

The camming device illustrated in connection with providing both vertical and horizontal components of movement, of the cover plate assembly, can be similarly varied. For example, slots can be provided in the side members 12 12 of the cover plate structure, and corresponding pins provided in the push bars 14 14 Alternatively, other camming mechanisms can be similarly substituted.

The materials of construction will of course depend to a large extent upon the chemical nature of the materials being employed. In many instances, conventional mild steels and spring steels are eminently suitable. In other cases, stainless and high tensile strength steels will be desired.

Having fully described the invention, what is claimed 1. Apparatus for intermittently establishing at will a fluid tight connection to a feeding conduit or nozzle, and a fluid tight closure, comprising a nozzle and apparatus in combination therewith, including a sleeve assembly and actuating means therefor,

a cover plate structure and actuating means therefor,

a base for supporting the sleeve assembly and cover plate structure,

the sleeve assembly including a portion slidably mounted in the nozzle in fluid tight engagement therewith and having a terminal surface capable of making fluid tight engagement with an opposite surface, the means for actuating the nozzle comprising means for moving the sleeve assembly between a retracted position in the nozzle and an extended position, the cover plate structure having a surface capable of establishing a fluid tight closure with the terminal surface of the slide assembly, the means for actuating the cover plate structure comprising means for moving the cover plate between a retracted position permitting movement of the sleeve assembly to its extended position, and a forward position covering the sleeve assembly, and means for pressing the cover plate against the terminal surface of the sleeve assembly, and establishing a fluid tight closure thereby, said means for pressing operating only when the cover plate is in a fixed lateral position relative to the sleeve assembly. 2. Apparatus for closure of a vessel nozzle and for intermittently establishing fluid tight engagement With a feed nozzle of a mobile material container or the like,

comprising a first or vessel nozzle, a generally vertical sleeve assembly slidably positioned in said nozzle, an actuating mechanism for vertical movement of said sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly being adapted for upward movement from a retracted position to engage a nozzle of a material container and said sleeve assembly including a sleeve proper slidable in said first nozzle and a gasketed flange at the upper terminus, a cover plate and horizontally actuating mechanism for actuating said plate, the cover plate being adapted to engage the gasket of the flange of the sleeve assembly, the mechanism therefor including side arms and cam apertures therein, said cam apertures engaging pins on the slide plate and being adapted to lift the slide plate before horizontal movement, and to press the slide plate against the gasket after horizontal movement, whereby abrasion against said gasket is prevented.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,653,631 Kirkland Dec. 27, 1927 2,227,712 Hackley Ian. 7, 1941 2,370,660 Heineman Mar. 6, 1945 

1. APPARATUS FOR INTERMITTENTLY ESTABLISHING AT WILL A FLUID TIGHT CONNECTION TO A FEEDING CONDUIT OR NOZZLE, AND A FLUID TIGHT CLOSURE, COMPRISING A NOZZLE AND APPARATUS IN COMBINATION THEREWITH, INCLUDING A SLEEVE ASSEMBLY AND ACTUATING MEANS THEREFOR, A COVER PLATE STRUCTURE AND ACTUATING MEANS THEREFOR, A BASE FOR SUPPORTING THE SLEEVE ASSEMBLY AND COVER PLATE STRUCTURE, THE SLEEVE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A PORTION SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE NOZZLE IN FLUID TIGHT ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH AND HAVING A TERMINAL SURFACE CAPABLE OF MAKING FLUID TIGHT ENGAGEMENT WITH AN OPPOSITE SURFACE, THE MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE NOZZLE COMPRISING MEANS FOR MOVING THE SLEEVE ASSEMBLY BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION IN THE NOZZLE AND AN EXTENDED POSITION, THE COVER PLATE STRUCTURE HAVING A SURFACE CAPABLE OF ESTABLISHING A FLUID TIGHT CLOSURE WITH THE TERMINAL SURFACE OF THE SLIDE ASSEMBLY, THE MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE COVER PLATE STRUCTURE COMPRISING MEANS FOR MOVING THE COVER PLATE BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF THE SLEEVE ASSEMBLY TO ITS EXTENDED POSITION, AND A FORWARD POSITION COVERING THE SLEEVE ASSEMBLY, AND MEANS FOR PRESSING THE COVER PLATE AGAINST THE TERMINAL SURFACE OF THE SLEEVE ASSEMBLY, AND ESTABLISHING A FLUID TIGHT CLOSURE THEREBY, SAID MEANS FOR PRESSING OPERATING ONLY WHEN THE COVER PLATE IS IN A FIXED LATERAL POSITION RELATIVE TO THE SLEEVE ASSEMBLY. 